Chapter 2
Neverland Ranch the previous day earlier that morning.
Michael's pov
I'm sitting in the kitchen waiting for my kids to get dressed, we've just finished breakfast and they want to spend the day in the amusement park, I currently have three children, they were all naturally conceived, I love each of them and treat them all equally, they all get the same amount although I must admit the past is repeated itself, my mother treated us equally as well, but I had a special bond with her that the others didn't, and I now have that same special bond with one of my children, my little princess Paris, she was my first born and she never leaves my side, she's 13 years old, the middle child is prince he's 8 years old now and I wouldn't change him for the world, and then there's Blanket he's 4 years old, he's very shy and takes a while to get to know people he prefers to just listen instead of talk, the two boy's are very independent for their age, the prefer to run ahead and play or wander off, which I don't mind them doing when we're in the safety of the ranch, but when we're out and there's the risk of being spotted by fans they all stay close to me and security, Paris no matter where we are is glued to me, she will even pretend she is still wide awake at night just to stay by my side for a little longer, to avoid this I normally take her upstairs to bed and once she's tucked in, I'll sit down beside her and either sing or read to her, this always successfully makes her fall asleep I always have to wait a few minutes before I leave to make sure she's asleep, because if not she will get up and follow me either to my own bedroom or to another room in the house, it just depends on what I'm doing, and even now that she's older she's exactly the same, it's a miracle I managed to explain that I can't be around when she's getting changed or in the bath because daddies aren't allowed, thankfully she accepted this because she's never away long, she reminds me of the DC superhero superman with her super speed, she's showered and dressed within ten minutes and back beside me and I always have a cuddle ready for her.
I hear footsteps on the stairs and I know its my little princess, first because she's very light on her feet and second because like I said she dresses quicker than Clark Kent even with his super speed, two minutes later she proves me right by walking through the door, she practically runs up to me and snuggles into my arms, I giggle at her softly.
"Princess you were only upstairs for fifteen minutes" I say still giggling.
"I know daddy but I hate being away from you" she says.
"I know baby girl" I say in a comforting voice.
I know what you're all thinking, she's thirteen she should be acting more grown up and more independent, well there's another reason that she's like this, when she was five years old, someone who had tried to sue me under false allegations in the hopes of receiving a large sum of money, tried to kidnap her, this persons lawsuit failed and was proved to be lying, so they came up with another way to get money from me, ransom, they had left me a note in my bedroom telling me to meet them that night with a large sum of money or I would never see my daughter again, thankfully they left the note before they took Paris, and didn't realise that I was in the adjoining bathroom to my bedroom, so when I came out just seconds after they had closed the door, I ran into the hall and caught them just as they were entering the nursery, I pressed the panic button and held him off until security came, Paris was terrified, and every since she has been very clingy with me.
I hear more footsteps and know the boy's are on their way down, Paris sits on the stool beside mine at the breakfast bar, the two boys walk in and smile at us.
"Morning daddy" they say at the same time.
"Morning boys, sleep alright" I ask
"Yeah" they answer at the same time again, and then they take off towards the front door yelling, I can just make out the words amusement park.
"Well looks like your brothers couldn't wait any longer to get to the park, still want to go" I ask Paris, she nods her head.
By the time we're out the front door the boy's are halfway down the path that leads to the back of the house which is where the amusement park, zoo and stables are, there's a small swing park just down the path, the library and cinema room are in the house, as usual Paris walks beside me, the sun is shining down so I need to be careful that my skin isn't exposed for too long, I grabbed my umbrella as we were leaving just in case, I can normally tell when my skin is reacting because it start to sting and burn, we follow the path round the grounds that eventually leads us round the back of the house, as we're coming round the side to start moving in that direction I see the large on the other side of the grounds that leads to a courtyard, this is where the stables are, as you walk through the courtyard the stables surround the entire area, if you go to the back and go through the next gate this leads you into the grounds connected to the zoo, over the wall is where the zebra pen is, its surrounded by a wall so its like a makeshift field, the horses are put in here to stretch their legs, if they can't be ridden, as I think that last thought I remember what Paris asked me the other day.
"I had a look on the internet last night when I couldn't sleep, and found some numbers of nearby stables" I tell Paris.
"Really" she asks brightening up.
We have reached the amusement park and the boy's are running towards one of the rides, I approach a bench and sit down to watch, I'm a little surprised but was also expecting it when Paris sits next to me.
"I also have some bad news" I tell her.
"Really" she asks and I see her face fall.
"Yes even though I've been looking for numbers to contact schools doesn't mean you can go to them like you originally asked" I tell her.
"But dad…." she begins but I cut her off knowing she's going to say she'll be careful and maybe no one will know who she is but I can't take that risk.
"No Paris" I say firmly and she lowers her gaze sadly.
"Sweetheart, I don't want to fight with you, I understand you want to go to a proper riding school and be in public classes like a normal child, but if anyone recognises you, they will surround you and you won't be able to learn anything and they won't learn anything either, and if someone tells the paparazzi I would never forgive myself if you got hurt, I'm sorry homey, its just not safe for you to go anywhere to learn, the best I can do is find a teacher that's willing to come here and teach you, that way we can ensure your safety" I explain to her, I feel guilty that my fame is always holding my children back from a normal childhood but there's nothing I can do to change that,
At first having them wear masks in public worked, but all the fans were desperate to see what the kids looked like, and so during the early hours of the morning a fan managed to sneak onto the ground, she stayed hidden in the house for days, and was taking pictures of the kids without their masks on, I would like to say she didn't get a clear shot of their faces but she did, se got tons of pictures of each of my kids faces, then again she snuck out early morning when we were all asleep, she took the pictures to the press and sold them, and within the next day the whole world new what my kids looked like, they could no longer out in public without me, and they can never go to schools of any kind outside the house, we have to find teachers who are willing to come here and teach them privately, the have a teacher who home schools them, I even turned a room in the house into a makeshift classroom, with desks, chairs and even a whiteboard, the fan was tracked down and was fined with breaking and entering.
I look at Paris to see her eyes are still focused on the ground.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry, you can still learn to ride, it will just have to be here under privet teaching" I try to reassure her.
She finally looks up and smiles at me.
"I know daddy, Its not just about being normal, I want to make friends, and I want people to like me for me, not because I'm your daughter" she explains.
"I know princess, but unfortunately sometimes the thoughts of gaining money especially a large amount can corrupt people" I tell her.
"I know, and I'm not fighting with you I'm just sad" she explains.
"Look on the bright side, at least if we bring a teacher here you can ride one of our horses, which means" I hint.
"I get to ride Casper" she realises and her smile finally becomes real and happy.
Casper is basically Paris's horse, my horse Tillie died while she was giving birth to him so she wasn't able to feed him naturally, the vet tried many times to feed him from a bottle, but the poor thing was terrified of everyone, the vet explained how to do it and everyone had a go but the little foal was just too scared, then one day, Paris went up to the stables to see one of the groomers Shelly, she liked to keep her company, she say Casper in his stall and went in to him, I saw her and went to tell her he would be too scared, when I noticed he wasn't making a sound or moving away from away from her, as she slowly walked towards him he just stood there looking at her as she spoke to him, she reached him and started to run her hands up and down his neck stroking his fur, I watched and wandered if he would eat for her since he seems to trust her, as if she was reading my thoughts, she picks up a bottle of milk that has been left behind from earlier, as soon as she tips it up he starts to drink from it, since then he has only let Paris take care of, he'll let people ride him as long as Paris is near, and I would also sit her on his back and give her a pony ride around the grounds.
"Speaking of Casper, I think he's missing your little walks together" I say to her.
"That's a good idea, it will get him used to being ridden again as well" she agrees.
We let the boy's know where we're going and start to walk back towards the stables.
It didn't take long to get Casper saddled up and ready to go, we're walking through the grounds with Paris on his back, he is completely white, so white he looks like a ghost, this is why Paris called him Casper, after her favourite film, she is giggling like mad, because the movement of his shoulders is causing her to sway back and forth, I'm careful to keep an eye for any signs that she might fall off, as we're walking my mobile starts to ring in my pocket, I give Casper the stop command and he does, I pull my phone out and answer it, I smile when I hear my mother at the other end, as I'm talking to her I'm careful to keep an eye on Casper and Paris and also to keep a good hold on the bridle reins, after talking with my mother for a short time we end the call.
"Who was that daddy" Paris asks.
"It was grandma sweetie" I tell her.
"What was she saying" she asks, I smile at her curiosity.
"She was just saying that dinner is cancelled tonight, she and grandpa would like to spend their anniversary alone together this year" I explain.
"Awww that's so romantic" she say's.
"I know, I think it's a good idea too" I say as we continue to walk, the boy's are still in the amusement park, as I'm about to put my mobile back in my pocket I notice the time on the screen, its nearly lunch time.
"We should head back to the stables honey, its coming time for lunch" I tell her.
"Ok daddy" she agrees and I turn Casper around to head back the way we came.
It doesn't take long to get back to the stables, were I hand Casper over to one of the groomers so they can take care of him properly, we head back to the park to get the boys so we can have lunch in the house, when we get there my phone rings again, I tell Paris to run ahead and get the boys, she's hesitant because she doesn't want to be away from me, but does as I've told her, its my mother again I recognise the number, there must be something wrong she gave the impression she wouldn't b e calling again so soon, I answer the call and after a short conversation we end the call, the kids are approaching me, when the reach me we all start to walk back to the house, we go straight to the kitchen to find sandwiches and juice already made and on the breakfast bar for us, I wait until the kids all sit down and start to eat. Before I tell on e of my security to bring the car around.
"Where are we going daddy" Prince asks me.
"You guy's have to stay, Grandpa Joe isn't feeling very well and he's been taking to hospital, I won't be long I promise and I will call you when I can" I explain, my heart breaks when I see Paris's eyes shoot up to look at me and they fill with tears.
"You're leaving" she asks her little voice quavers.
"It's ok sweetie, I know you don't like it, but the staff, the nanny and your brothers will be here, so you'll be safe and I'll try not to be long ok I promise" I try to comfort her, she runs up to me and I hug her, once she lets go, I gently wipe the tears from her eyes and promise once again to be back soon, I leave the house full of fear for what I will find at the hospital.